By Kayode Adebiyi
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, is expected to chair the 18th edition of the Leadership Conference and Awards ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held on Feb. 12 at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Kukah, recognised as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished public intellectuals, is also a scholar and advocate for social justice.
He has confirmed his availability to chair the conference, themed: “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria.”
It will be presented by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed.
In 2022, Kukah delivered the keynote address at the Leadership awards and conference, themed “Resetting Nigeria: Culture, Politics, Geography and the Role of Big Ideas.”
A statement by the Chairman of the company, Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said Mohammed was invited as the keynote speaker because of her distinguished leadership at the United Nations.
She also said the US scribe has had invaluable contributions to sustainable development and respect for a rules-based global system.
“The theme of this year’s conference is very fitting and aligns well with Amina’s persistent call for sustainable development.
“Therefore, we expect her to analyse this topic and ultimately provide perspectives on how the world can achieve lasting political stability,” Nda-Isaiah said.
It would be recalled that Leadership, in November 2025, unveiled its 2025 awardees, with Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, emerging as the Person of the Year 2025. (NAN)
edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
